Vale Cate Turner OAM – A Tireless Advocate for Women’s Rights and Welfare

In the Cove has previously reported that Catherine “Cate” Elizabeth Turner OAM, passed away peacefully on Saturday, 9 August 2025, in the loving care of the Dougherty Apartments, Chatswood.

Cate was a devoted and much-loved aunt to her many nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, and grand-nieces. She was also a treasured friend to people of all ages, admired for her generosity, humour, and wisdom.

Cate devoted much of her life to championing the rights and welfare of women. She was a proud and active member of the Older Women’s Network (OWN), where her leadership and advocacy inspired countless women to embrace their voices and assert their rights. She was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of a National Older Women’s Network.  Cate was the convenor of the Women In Community Housing and a member of the OWN Aboriginal Support Circle and the OWN Housing Group.

She was also a long-time member of the Lane Cove Residents for Reconciliation (LCRR) and held the position of Treasurer for many years.

The Early Years

Cate was originally from New Zealand.  She was born in a small town north of Wellington and spent her childhood on a dairy farm.  After she left school, she attended Teachers College, as this was one of the few professional careers open to women.

After a few years,  Cate decided to try a new career and moved into a training role with New Zealand National Airways.

Worklife

After deciding to leave New Zealand, she worked in human resources in Darwin, Melbourne and then finally Sydney.   Cate’s work life was put on hold while she cared for her ailing parents in New Zealand.  She finally retired in 1994.  Cate did not have the benefit of compulsory superannuation or long service leave, so despite being a senior human resources manager, her retirement income was limited.  This made Cate accutely aware of the issues facing older women and lack of housing support.

Retirement

After her retirement, she joined the Older Women’s Network, and one of its founders suggested that she look for a rental property in Lane Cove.  She stayed in Lane Cove for 25 years and had a lasting impact on the community.  She received a Lane Cove Citizenship award in 2007 and was a member of the Lane Cove Council’s Age-Friendly Committee and the Cammeraygal Festival Committee.

Honours and Awards

In 2016, Member for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts made the following speech in the NSW Legislative Assembly:

“Another outstanding woman from my electorate is Cate Turner. Cate was a finalist in the A.H. Beard Community Hero category of the 2016 New South Wales Woman of the Year Awards. Cate is a former State chair of the Older Women’s Network, which advocates for the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older women across New South Wales.

She is also a former president of the Sydney Lions Club, the first woman in this role, and is the current organiser of the annual Centenarians Function at Government House for the Sydney Lions Club.

Cate spent 10 years at radio 2RPH reading from newspapers and magazines for the sight impaired. At the ripe age of 87 Cate continues to volunteer in a variety of roles.

For 15 years Cate has served as treasurer of the Lane Cove Residents for Reconciliation, a group formed in recognition of the First Peoples of this country. Her dedication to the service of her community is a credit to her. She is a remarkable woman and an asset to her friends, family and community”.

In 2017, she was awarded an OAM for service to aged welfare, particularly to women ( her full citation and list of awards are at the end of this article).

She was awarded a Westfield Local Hero for Chatswood – she donated the prize money to the OWN.

Age No Barrier

In 2019, she had an idea to walk through Lane Cove to mark the International Day of Older Persons (see the photo below).

As the National President of the Older Women’s Network, Beverly Baker noted that she leaves behind a legacy far greater than any awards.

At Cate’s funeral, Beverly Baker’s eulogy noted that Cate showed age was no barrier:

“Who else but Cate would celebrate her 75th birthday hang gliding, her 80th hot air ballooning and her 90th with a trip to Paris?

She showed us all that age is no barrier to joy, adventure, and curiosity and gave us the handle for our Instagram account. Age is No Barrier

Cate reminded us that growing older doesn’t mean fading into the background. On the contrary, she insisted that our voices grow stronger with age. She showed us that older women are powerful, visible, and unstoppable.

We will miss her laughter. We will miss her kindness. We will miss the way she quietly made things happen, always without fuss, always with love.

But most of all, we will miss her presence—the steady hand and generous spirit and that wicked sense of humour that held us together.

Cate Turner leaves behind a legacy far greater than awards or honours.

Her true legacy is us—the community she nurtured, the women she empowered, and the countless lives she touched.

Today we say farewell, but we also say thank you. Thank you, Cate, for showing us what it means to live a life of purpose, courage, and joy.

You will forever remain the heart of OWNs”

90th Birthday Trip to Paris

On her 90th birthday, Cate travelled to Paris with her nephew, Dr Tim Turner.

Tim documented their adventures on a blog titled 90 Hours in Paris.

Tim noted at his Aunt’s funeral:

“… through all my life, Aunty Cath was a loving support, and an inspiration because of her vigour and courage supporting the causes that she held dear. She was so persistent and determined to ensure that women’s issues, and especially those of older women, were championed.

Holding power to account was a favourite of Aunty Cath, something that she never shied away from. Her stories of shirt-fronting local and federal parliamentarians on various issues were always a favourite. Her network of friends in the Australian Governors’ circle was always impressive to me.”

A Life That Will Be Remembered

Cate’s life was one of courage, compassion, and commitment. She will be remembered as a beloved aunt, a true friend, a proud feminist, a tireless advocate, and an extraordinary community leader. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she enriched, the women she inspired, and the community she strengthened.

2017 OAM – Citation in full

Ms Catherine Elizabeth TURNER, Lane Cove NSW 2066, for service to aged welfare, particularly to women.

Service includes: Older Women’s Network (OWN): National: Treasurer, since 2015 and 2002-2013. President, 2009-2011. Public Officer, 2013-2015. New South Wales: Member, Management Team, 1998-2013 and since 2014.

Head, Housing Group, 1996-1998. Member, Sydney Committee, since 2015. Member since 1994.

Women’s Electoral Lobby: Auditor, current. Executive Member, 1994-2000. Convenor, 1994-1996. Member since 1994.

President, Lions Club of Sydney, 2012-2014 and Organiser, Centenarians Function, 2006- 2016 and Member since 2005.

Treasurer, Lane Cove Residents for Reconciliation, since 1998.

Voluntary Newsreader, 2RPH (community radio station)

2002-2012. Member, Duke of Edinburgh 3 Week Commonwealth Study Conference, 1968 and Member, Conference Alumni, since 1968.

Awards and recognition include: Finalist, AH Beard Community Hero Award, NSW Women of the Year, 2016. Recipient, Award for Community Activism, Edna Ryan Awards, 2003. Recipient, Community Service Award, Government of New South Wales, 2001. Recipient, Citizenship Award, Lane Cove Council, 2007.